MotoGP Italian Grand Prix 2018 Preview

The MotoGP season arrives in Italy for race six of the 2018 Championship as the Autodromo del Mugello stages the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley. Marc Marquez goes into the event with an imposing 36-point lead after winning the last three Grands Prix and will hope to extend that lead when they race on Sunday 3 June.

Mugello sits 30km north-east of Florence in the heart of the stunning Tuscany countryside. It first hosted a Grand Prix in 1976 and has become a firm favourite on the calendar thanks to its natural undulations and tree lined track. Purchased by Ferrari back in 1988, the circuit was renovated to a higher standard, with excellent safety features and facilities, which has helped it to become a permanent venue on the MotoGP calendar since 1991.

Marc Marquez is once again a strong 10/11 odds-on favourite to win the race, ahead of the Italian duo of Andrea Dovizioso, the 13/5 second-favourite, and Valentino Rossi, who is the 6/1 third-favourite. Maverick Vinales, currently second in the World Standings is a 10/1 chance, whilst Johann Zarco, third in the Standings, is a 14/1 hope.

Form

Marc Marquez made it three wins out of three when winning in Le Mans last time out and has opened up a convincing lead in the race for the title. He has only won once at Mugello, in 2014, but was runner-up here two years ago. In the form he is in, it’s hard to back against him but other riders do have a better record here.

Maverick Vinales has moved up to second in the World Standings but has failed to finish on the podium since being runner-up in Texas at the end of April. He produced his best finish at this track last year when coming second and will hope to do something similar this year to keep his title chances alive.

Andrea Dovizioso comes into the race as a big home favourite and is the second-favourite with the bookies. He won this race last year, but his results this season have been disappointing following what was a decent start. On current form it’s hard to see him challenging for the win but an enthusiastic crowd could yet spur him on to another Mugello victory.

Sports.net's View

Marc Marquez is looking too good for the rest of the field at the moment, so it would be somewhat of a surprise should he not make it a fourth win from four. Andrea Dovizioso cannot be written off after last year’s win, but his odds don’t look great given his recent form. However, fellow Italian and racing legend Valentino Rossi could send the home crowd wild with a podium finish and at 6/1 is well worth a punt.

Sports.net's Top Tip

Jorge Lorenzo failed to finish in the top two at Mugello last year for the first time since 2008, winning six times in that period. He obviously loves this track, can find himself back on the podium and is an attractive 16/1 each-way bet. Maverick Vinales, second in the World Standings and second here last year can also threaten and is another tempting each-way bet at 9/1.

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